Is private school cheaper in Pasadena or San Jose?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $14,000/year less, or $182,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Pasadena over San Jose?

Average tuition in Pasadena is $14,000/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $182,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Pasadena, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Pasadena and San Jose private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Pasadena vs San Jose

Pasadena averages $14,000/year less for private school (125% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $182,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pasadena	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$14,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$13,800/yr	-$6,200
Independent/Prep	$23,700/yr	$40,500/yr	-$16,800
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$20,500/yr	-$11,000
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$14,000
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$31,200/yr	-$17,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pasadena

$145,600

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Pasadena saves $182,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $364,000.

Sample Schools

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Pasadena breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.